Luggage and Literature

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. - St. Augustine

January 2021 Reading List: Borrowed Books

by //

For 2021, I picked monthly categories to read from, in an effort to feel less constrained by reading challenges that I’d participated in previously, while continuing to work through the massive collection of books that I already own or have borrowed from friends and family. Each month I’ll include the books that I finished within the month’s category reading, books finished outside of the category reading, books in progress, and books abandoned. And I’ll tell you where the book was sourced from. For January 2021, my reading list is from the category of Borrowed Books!

Borrowed Books Finished:

In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepherd

Borrowed from brother-in-law Matt.

On Christmas Day every year, we watch A Christmas Story. I knew that the movie was based on this book and mentioned that I wanted to read it. My brother-in-law Matt had the book. Apparently Mike had bought it for him a few years before. The book is a novel consisting of a combination of childhood memories and conversations between a man and his bartender friend upon returning for a visit to his hometown. Although fictionalized, the stories are apparently inspired by the author’s life and hometown. I really enjoyed the novel, particularly seeing the portions that inspired A Christmas Story.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

Borrowed from friend Sierra.

A dual-narrative told from the perspectives of a Nigerian asylum-seeker in Great Britain, and a British magazine editor and mother, this book is powerful. It makes you think about difficult issues, without pushing a particular agenda. I don’t want to say too much about the plot, as coming to the book without preconceived notions about it is better, I think. Cleave is an extremely talented author, and this book has to be among his best works.

All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot

Borrowed from friend Dennis.

This is the second book by James Herriot, following All Creatures Great and Small. I’m most definitely an animal lover, and a ‘people watcher’. This book feels perfect for anyone who would describe themselves the same way. Herriot has a way of describing his encounters with the other people around his village that makes the most ordinary seem fascinating. I just love these books, and will definitely read the third book, All Things Wise and Wonderful.

Finding Dorothy by Elizabeth Letts

Borrowed from library using Libby.

This was our book club’s January pick. I’m a lover of all things Wizard of Oz, books and movies alike, and thought I would love everything about this one. I thought that it started out rather slow, but picked up momentum in the second half of the book. Our book club had a very robust discussion about many of the characters and plot points, so it was fantastic in that regard. But overall, I enjoyed the book but didn’t love it as one of my favorites of the year.

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Borrowed from library using Libby.

I put this book on hold after hearing about it on the Well Read Podcast. I often add books to my wish lists on Libby and Amazon, which is how I track my TBR, but don’t often buy or check out or put the book on hold right away. With this book, though I immediately put it on my Libby hold list. But by the time my hold came up, I couldn’t remember what the book was supposed to be about. I just knew that it must have really intrigued me to have put it on hold upon hearing about it. I jumped right in without reading a description, and am glad for that. This book is best read without a lot of background. But a little bit of background to make you go out and read it. The main character is an Instagram influencer, and the book begins as what I’d describe as contemporary/women’s literature. But there’s a major twist to the story that totally changes the trajectory of the book. Just read this one. I don’t think you’ll be sorry that you did.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb

Borrowed from library using Libby.

The author is a therapist who is in therapy, and this book is her story of that experience coupled with stories of some of her own clients in her therapy practice. I was totally sucked into the book, and just could not put it down. There were times when I laughed, and even times when I actually cried reading it. I really love this book and would encourage others to read it.

What Are You Hungry For? by Deepak Chopra

Borrowed from library using Libby.

I recently decided that after struggling with my weight for basically my whole life, I should maybe educate myself about nutrition and wellness, just like I educate myself about anything else. I searched on Libby and found a few books that seemed to fit the bill and checked them out. This was the second book that I tried (I didn’t finish the first and you can find it listed in my abandoned books category). I did not like this book. It read like a giant advertisement for a product, and I read the whole thing waiting for and expecting the author to finally describe what the solution was. Instead, it just continued like an advertisement for the entirety. It was not helpful, and I would not recommend it.

How Not to Diet by Michael Greger

Borrowed from library using Libby.

This was the third book that I tried in my quest to educate myself about nutrition and wellness, and finally found one that fit the bill. The author begins by noting that it is not a diet book, and that he’s not making money from the sale of the book. He then goes on to examine nutrition and weight-loss studies done by others and explain what works or doesn’t, and why. While I was reading the book, and even after finishing it, I can’t help but think back to it often. My only complaint is that the book is really long,  and at times repetitive. I felt like a bit more editing could have helped to streamline it, but that wasn’t a deal-breaker for me since I found the information so useful, and in many cases novel.

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Borrowed from library using Libby.

This audiobook has been on my TBR for a long time, and I checked it out this month on a whim after noticing that it didn’t have a hold list. Everyone knows what a habit is, or thinks that they do. But our understanding of how a habit is formed, and how to change our habits is not within most of our basic knowledge. I really liked this book, as it was easy to understand, and gave strategies that seem pretty easy to implement when trying to change habits or make new habits.

American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road by Nick Bilton

Borrowed from library using Libby.

Oh boy, I really loved this book! It is the true story of the man who created a dark web site known as the ‘Amazon’ of drugs, how and why he created the site, and also of the law enforcement officers who tracked him. The book is so fast-paced and interesting. I just had to know what was going to happen next. So good, even for those who aren’t the biggest fans of true crime.

 

Other Books Finished:

The Last Days of John Lennon by James Patterson, Casey Sherman, and Dave Wedge

Already owned Kindle e-book.

Honestly, I first found out about this book from an ad on my Kindle Paperwhite, but as a rock biography junkie, I knew that I had to read it. The book follows the stories of John Lennon and the Beatles through their rise and career, and Mark David Chapman who ultimately murdered Lennon. The authors clearly did a good job researching the Beatles and the murder; and I learned many things that I hadn’t known about the Beatles, and about Chapman.

Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline

Already owned audiobook.

I was a huge fan of the first audiobook! It was so different from anything else that I just sunk into the world that Cline had built and loved every minute of it. This is the much anticipated follow-up and begins pretty much right after the events of the first book. I really, really liked this book as well and felt like it was worth the read/listen. My only complaint was that the challenge in this book felt just a little bit more tedious in the middle elements, as if each of the challenges were designed around or for a particular character. But that minor complaint aside, I still really loved the story and the world that this is set in.

The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis

Already owned audibook.

Like everyone else, we watched the Netflix series of the same name. Does anyone else feel like with the pandemic and staying home more, we’re all just watching their newest releases all at the same time, i.e. as soon as a new one comes out?! Anyway, I really loved the story, and knowing that it had been based on a book, I wanted to read it. I downloaded the audiobook and got around to listening to it this month. The show follows the plot of the book very closely, and even nails the characters, in my opinion. I really loved the audiobook and how I felt like I really got to know what was going on in Elizabeth’s head. So good!

You’re Not Enough (And That’s Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love by Allie Beth Stuckey

Already owned physical book.

I received this book as a Christmas gift. It’s very short, so was a pretty quick read, although I made sure to only read a chapter per day, so that I could digest and consider the book’s message. And think about, I have. On one hand, I feel like the author’s message of being less self-absorbed and thinking that we are all perfect and “enough” was a good one. But on the other hand, there are a lot of us who spend moments (or more) of our lives really disliking ourselves (or worse), and the things that we tell ourselves are really harmful. None of us is truly enough in the sense that we need Jesus. But I think that self-acceptance and striving to become better people are good goals too. I’m glad that I read this book, even though I can’t decide if I agree with the author completely or not.

How Can I Develop a Christian Conscience? by R.C. Sproul

Already owned Kindle e-book.

In this short study, the author looks at the issue of conscience, and whether it always guides us in the right direction. He talks about how to use the Bible to better calibrate our consciences, and what can lead us off track. A valuable subject.

 

Books in Progress:

Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study by Barb Ravelin (Already owned Kindle e-book.) My bible study is working through this book.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.)

Giants in the Earth: A Saga of the Prairie by O.E. Rolvaag (Borrowed from father-in-law Fuzz.)

 

Books Abandoned:

Eat for Life by Joel Fuhrman (Borrowed from library on Libby.)

2020 Reading Statistics

by //

In 2020, I read A LOT of books, 196 to be precise. And although I know it’s not a competition, I can’t help but be just a little impressed with myself on that. To note, I don’t ever strive for a particular number of books read each year, but rather do try to read books that I truly enjoy or gain something from, and do try to structure my reading so that it’s a blessing to me rather than a burden. So without further ado, here are some pretty little charts that break down my 2020 reading statistics, with a few notes about what stood out to me in them.

November, what with the election coverage (and me being a political science major in college), was a seriously down month in my reading.

My goal was to read 75 books that I already owned, as part of the Unread Shelf Challenge. I met that plus a couple more, with 77 old or already owned books.

I clearly don’t do as may audiobooks as physical or e-books, which makes sense, since I typically listen to those while driving or doing other things around the house. But 42 audiobooks is still quite a few, and maybe demonstrates that I don’t listen to them at 1x speed (I usually bump them up to 1.2-1.4x speed depending on the narrator, topic, and my level of interest).

Also, if you actually counted up the number here (197) compared to the total number of books that I read (196) and noticed a discrepancy, you’re a nerd. Also, I had one book in two different formats, so that accounts for the discrepancy there.

October 2020 Reading List

by //

This year, I’m participating in the Unread Shelf Challenge 2020 with a goal to read 75 books that I already own. Each month, I’ll read one fiction, one nonfiction/memoir, one law/business/politics, and one devotional/spiritual book. Quarterly, I’ll be reading one book of classic literature. I’ll be listing where each book came from, whether from my existing collection, I borrowed the book, or purchased the book new this year. This is my October 2020 Reading List, which includes the books that I’ve finished, the books in progress and ongoing, and the books that I’ve abandoned.

Books Finished:

The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt

Purchased physical book this year.

From the author who wrote Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, The City of Falling Angels is the same concept but set in Venice. The book is nonfiction and begins with the fire at La Fenice. The author’s interviews and interactions with the city’s residents are simply fascinating. And the intrigues he discovers are entertaining.

History of Bourbon by Ken Albala

Audible Original, so new but free.

I listened to this while driving in Maine. It made for subject matter that kept my attention, but wasn’t distracting from driving, which is perfect for an audiobook. I’ve never been a bourbon drinker, but learning about it was still fun. And who would have thought that there would be quite that much history, and even drama surrounding bourbon.

Tales from Misery Ridge: One Man’s Adventures in the Great Outdoors by Paul J. Fournier

Purchased physical book this year.

I picked this book up while in Maine for work. It is a memoir of the author’s years living and working in Maine. He discusses his teenage years as a guide, time as a camp owner, a bush pilot, and with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. His life was a series of backwoods adventures, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to read about it in this book.

Nine Mile Bridge: Three Years in the Maine Woods by Helen Hamlin

Purchased physical book this year.

I also picked this book up in Maine. This is also a memoir of the author’s years in Maine, particularly Aroostook County, Maine, which is the area where I was. She however, was there in the 1950s when it was far less developed, and she was in the most remote areas of the county and state. She even wintered over in remote warden cabins without access to the outside world. It was so fascinating to read about, as it’s not something that I will experience (or care to!).

Bless the Beasts & Children by Glendon Swarthout

Borrowed from a friend.

My friend Dennis initially talked about this book; and my friend Sierra purchased it. She loaned it to me, and I read it right away. It is the story of several misfit boys at a summer camp who want to rescue bison who are held at a sporting camp for people to “hunt.” I use that word, although there wasn’t much that was either sporting or hunting. The story is a coming of age story, with moments of immense joy, and moments of incredible sadness. This was wonderful, and I recommend it.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Purchased physical book this year.

Sharp Objects is so psychologically disturbing and wonderful. It is the story of a woman who goes home to report on a murder of a young girl in her hometown. The woman clearly has some pretty significant emotional baggage, and a messed up family. And it just gets darker and more twisty from there. This book was a page turner, and I couldn’t put it down.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

Purchased on Audible this year.

I listened to this book on Audible, and the narration was quite good. Audible recommended it to me, and it was a good recommendation, as I’m a fan of Bradbury’s writing. In it, a circus comes to town, but it’s not a happy occasion. The circus is spooky and dangerous, and two boys have to stop the bad things that will inevitably come with it.

The Haunting of Brynn Wilder by Wendy Webb

Kindle First book, so new but free.

This was a Kindle First book that I thought would be perfect for October. Haunting is in the title, after all. I started reading, and right away from the epigraph saw a reference to the illustrated man, which is a character in Something Wicked This Way Comes. I thought it was just a coincidence, but kept reading. An illustrated (tattooed) man is a main character in this book, and the book by Ray Bradbury, The Illustrated Man plays a role. The timing of these things sometimes is astounding. This is the story of a woman who has had tragedy in her life, and goes to a cute touristy town to spend the summer and recover. She stays in a boarding house with some interesting folks, and begins to have some disturbing dreams and experiences. This is a little spooky, but not terrifying, and the mystery is great.

The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury

Borrowed from the library on Libby.

After reading the previous book, I just had to read The Illustrated Man. This is essentially a series of short stories which are tied together with the illustrated man being the overarching theme. I listened to this one, and also really enjoyed it in that format.

The Wedding Bees by Sarah-Kate Lynch

Purchased physical book this year.

This book is a lovely little story of a woman finding love and forgiveness and bringing love and healing to a whole lot of other people. The characters are quirky and fun, while also being relatable. And the plot device of hearing from the bees themselves was wonderful. Just an enjoyable little book.

Inside Jobs by Ben H. Winters

Audible Original, so new but free.

This Audible Original is a series of short stories set during the early stages of our current pandemic, when things were largely locked down and people were quarantined. Most of the stories were enjoyable, with funny and cringe-worthy moments that we can all relate to.

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

A woman moves back to her hometown of LA after a rough go of things. Her friends throw a welcome home party for her, and at the end of the night she decides whether to stay at the bar with her former boyfriend, or to go home with her friends. And that is where the story splits. Think ‘choose your own adventure’ story. This was so very good. I think that Taylor Jenkins Reid is probably one of my very favorite authors, having read this and Daisy Jones and the Six.

Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

Already owned Kindle e-book.

This is my book club’s pick for November. It is historical fiction set in World War II, so right in my wheelhouse, but not a genre that I’ve read a tremendous amount of lately. And this book is a little different than many other World War II books, in that it is set in Italy. The book is based on the true story of a boy who helped Jews escape over the border into Switzerland, and who spied for the Allies while working as a Nazi driver. The events seem almost unbelievable, but are apparently all true. It’s a very good book.

In the Backyard of Jesus by Steven N. Khoury

Purchased physical book this year.

Steven Khoury lives in Israel/Palestine. He is a Protestant Christian. This book is a memoir of sorts, where he tells about his journey to becoming a Christian and a minister. He also tells stories of his family and parishioners, and their experiences living in Muslim Palestine and dealing with hatred and opposition for their beliefs and evangelism. Fascinating.

How Should I Live in This World? by R.C. Sproul

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

Are People Basically Good? by R.C. Sproul

Purchased Kindle e-book this year.

I’m writing about these to booklets together, as their subject matter is largely similar. The topics are just as the titles would indicate. The first tells readers expectations for how to demonstrate a belief in Christ, and the second looks at original sin as a basis for understanding that people are not basically good, without the forgiveness of Christ.

 

Books Ongoing through 2020:

Unshakeable: 365 Devotions for Finding Unwavering Strength in God’s Word by Christine Caine (Already owned physical book.) This is a daily devotional that I’ll be reading all year.

Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day by Clemency Burton-Hill (Already owned physical book.) This book has daily readings about classical music generally, various sub-genres of classical, and a daily piece of music to find and listen to. I’ll be working through it all year.

 

Books in Progress:

The St. Nicholas Anthology edited by Henry Steele Commager (Already owned physical book.)

Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study by Barb Ravelin (Purchased Kindle e-book this year.) My bible study is working through this book.

The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person by Judith S. Beck (Already owned Kindle e-book.)

Guns, Germs and Steel: The Fate of Human Societies by Jared Diamond (Purchased using Audible credit.)

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (Already owned physical book and Kindle e-book. Quarterly Classic from 2020 Reading List)

The Sweet Hell Inside: The Rise of an Elite Black Family in the Segregated South by Edward Ball (Already owned physical book. October Nonfiction/Memoir pick from 2020 Reading Plans.)

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead  (Already owned physical book. October Fiction pick from 2020 Reading Plans.)

 

Books Abandoned:

The Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Woman’s Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine by Sue Monk Kidd (Already owned physical book. October Spiritual/Devotional pick from 2020 Reading Plans.)

Book of the Little Axe by Lauren Francis-Sharma (Borrowed from library using Libby app.)

Too Proud to Beg: Self-Empowerment for Today’s Dog by John T. Olson and Cindy Cobb-Olson (Purchased physical book this year.)

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.